Toupee and wig and method of making the same



Dec. 24, 1929. E. BONG 1,740,764

TOUPEE AND WIG AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Filed May 15, 1929 w INVENTOR. E'M/L 501% A TTORNEY Patented Dec. 24, 1929 PATENT OFFICE EMIL BONG, OF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA TOUIEE AND WIG AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME Application filed May 13,

My invention relates to toupees and wigs to be worn by persons partly or entirely bald to substitute the missing hairs in contradistinction to wigs worn by actors or actresses.

My invention relates also to a method of making such toupees and wigs.

The objects of my invention are: first, to provide a toupee or wig having a deep-set parting which will give a very natural appearance to the hair, and to provlde a parting in toupees and wigs which will remain permanent during the life of the toupee or wig; second, to provide a toupee or wig of this class in which the hair at or adjacent the parting. will not become or lay flat, irrespective of the direction in which the hair is combed, or how much the hair is ruffled; third, to provide a toupee or wig of this class in which the whole is covered with hair but in which the parting portion of the hair is fixed or permanent so that no matter in what direction the hair is combed or how the hair is ruftled, the designated parting portion may be easily found and the hair easily and naturally directed or combed to the opposite sides of the designated parting portion;

fourth, to provide a toupee or wig of this class in which the hair is so implanted, knotted, or ventilated in the foundation adjacent the parting as to give the appearance of a natural growth of hair; fifth, to provide a novelly made and naturally appearing toupee or wig and one which is relatively simple of construction, durable, and which will not readily deteriorate; and, sixth, to provide a novel, simple and economical method of making such toupees and wigs.

Vith these and other objects in view as will appear hereinafter, my toupee or wig consists of certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts and, portions, and also of a certain novel method of making the same, as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly set forth in the appended claims, reference being had to the accompanying drawings illustrating my invention in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view representing either atoupee or wig and showing a deep-set part ing therein; Fig. 2 is a perspective view of 1929. Serial No. 362,799.

a foundation often employed in making toupees and wigs; Fig. 8 is a fragmentary enlarged view showing a netting foundation used at the parting portion of the hair and illustrating the old method of securing and directing the hair; Fig. l is a similar view thereof but embodying and illustrating my invention and method; Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of two meshes of the netting showing ingreater detail the arrangement of hair; Fig. 6 is a greatly enlarged view of two meshes showing diagrammatically in detail the method of securing and initially directing the hairs with respect to the meshes; and, Fig. 7 is a similar view of two meshes but showing one of the hairs of each mesh reversed and with a second hair secured to each mesh but directed and positioned over the former, and showing by dotted lines the hairs after being combed to one side.

Like characters of reference refer to similar parts and portions throughout the views of the drawings.

The foundation of a toupee or wig which fits against and conforms to the contour of the head or scalp, consists usually and primarily of a finely woven fabric of silk or cotton on which the main portion of the hair is implanted, knotted, or secured; such main foundation is designated 1 in Fig. 2. The portion of the foundation, at which the parting of the hair is desired, consists usually of a strip of open mesh material or netting which may be secured over the foundation 1 or inserted therein. This open mesh material may be woven of white hair or other suitable material. A narrow portion of the strip 2, which I shall designate the parting strip, is normally exposed to view when the hair is parted. In the ordinary toupee the hair is fiat at the parting, or if not flat when the toupee or wig is made, the hair becomes fiat after being worn a short time, thus exposing prominently to view the open mesh netting or parting strip 2, disclosing conspicuously that a wig or toupee is being worn. With my new construction of a toupee or wig, I make a deepset parting and arrange the hair in such a manner that the same cannot be readily laid fiat, thus reducing to a minimum undue exposure of the netting or parting strip 2 of the parting.

The usual construction of toupees and wigs, and the method followed by most wig makers is as follows:

The foundation used is usually substantially the same as that illustrated in Fig. 2. The parting strip 2 is positioned at the portion of the foundation at which the parting is desired to be made. Each of the meshesof the parting strip, net, or hair lace, as it is sometimes called, represents ,a,..P ore of the skin on the scalp, and also appears as such when not too prominently exposed to View. To each mesh of this net or lace is secured, knot-ted, or implanted, one or more hairs at one end of the hairs. The securing of the hair is begun at the front of the net or lace and continued in straight rows, or otherwise,

toward the crown or back of the foundation, the hairbeing in each instance laid or secured in such a manner that the same is directed forwardly or to the front of the toupee or Wig, asshown in Fig. 3. This is the general direction of the natural hair on the scalp, that is, the hair is naturally directed for wardly, but not flat against the scalp. The hair is parted with a comb by starting the comb at the crown and drawing it edgewise forwardly toward the front end and then combing the hair to each side from the separation or parting previously made with the comb. A toupee or wig, when so made, will become very flat and will at first glance have a very unnatural appearance when worn for only a short time whether with or without a hat, and also when it becomes rulfled and misplaced.

In my improved toupee or wig I secure the hairs in such a. manner that the same support each other, both against a fiat position with respect to the head and also against a direct upward position. Such arrangement of hair is preferably effected only adjacent the parting or along the parting strip. The usual width of the parting strip is approximately one to one and a half inches and has meshes 'which extend in longitudinal rows. To the central two to six rows of meshes the hairs may be knotted, implanted or secured and also directed as in the usual toupee .or wig. In this instance, I have shown two of such central rows, the rows being designated 2 in Fig. 4. To each of the meshes of these central rows is secured one strand of hair, which hair is directed to the front or forwardly, and designated 3 in Fig. 4.

Each of the meshes in the rows of meshes toeither side of the central rows is provided as shown in Figs. 5 and 7 the strands i being directed forwardly, while the strands 5 are directed over and across the former, and preferably at an acute angle with respect thereto. The meshes of the net or lace are usually substantially hexagonal. The hairs 4: are secured to one side of the hexagonal mesh, while the hairs 5 are secured to an immediate adjacent side and directed and positioned over the adjacent hair 4. Thus the hairs v5 hold the ,hairs downwardly and the latter holds the former upwardly. WVhen the hairs arecornbed, theygassume a position substantially as shown by dot-ted lines in Figs. 5 and'7,andxdesignated e and 5' therein. The angular or cross hairs 5 in the rows 2 are directed to the right, while those in the rows 2* are directed to theleft, as shown in Fig. 4.

My method of so placing and securing the hairs is as follows:

The k-notting implanting, or securing of the hair is begun onene of the lateral rows 2 or Q -and at thecrown or rearend of-said row. A hairi is secured to the rear side of each mesh and directed backwardly, pref.- erably flat against the foundation, the securing being effected by a looped knot, as shown in Fig. 6. hen a hair is'so secured in each mesh of a row of meshes, the hairs are reversed, by a comb or otherwise, until all of the hairs in the row are substantially directed forwardly, as shown in Figs. :5 and 7 t will be noted that when the hairs i are initially secured, the loop portions 4 of' the knots hold the hairs downwardly or flat. When the same areshifted orreveiased about the strands of the meshes to which the hairs are secured, the knots tend to tighten and bind so that the hairs cannot be laid flat in the opposite or forwarddirection, but will be directed upwardly at a substantially abrupt angle, the upward angular direction. of the hairs being facilitated by the loops l as show-n in Fig. 7. These hairs, when folded forwardly, will readily fold backwardly to the position of their original securing unless the same are supported or prevented from being folded backward-ly. This supporting is effected by the cross or diagonal hairs 5. These hairs 5 are secured, as stated above, to the adjacent sides of the hexagonally shaped meshes when the hairs 4 are folded forwardly and are secured to the meshes by looped knots 5, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7. The hairs 5 would ordinarily assume a flat position by reason of the particular securing method, but since the hairs t have a natural tendency to raise, the hairs 5 are directed upwardly at a substantial angle by the hairs i, whilethe hairs 4 are held downwardly and prevented normally from assuming their original backwardly directed position. It will be noted that the securing of the'rows of hairs 5 is begun at the frontv end of the row and continued toward the crown. Two separate hairs are similarly secured,and

by similar method of procedure, in the next adjacent row of meshes 2 until the central rows of meshes are reached. Then hairs are similarly secured, and by a similar method of procedure, to the meshes in the rows at the opposite side of the central rows, but the angular hairs 5 are directed in the opposite angular direction. The hair is last of all secured in the central rows, but there are only single hairs in each mesh and they are secured preferably, as stated above. The hair is then combed from the central rows to either side. It will be noted that since there is less hair at the central rows, because of only single strands being secured to each mesh, the designated parting can be very easily and always found. Furthermore, since a portion of the hair in the lateral rows is directed to the opposite sides, the location of the parting is substantially fixed and the parting is permanent by reason of the specific securing of the hair. The substantial upward direction of the hair and the substantial permanent support of the hair in this manner causes a permanent deep-set parting. Such deep-set parting,- together with the hair at the central rows, which is directed to either side, results in a substantial concealment of the parting strip 2 and the slight shadows of the meshes make the parting strip, net or lace appear as the scalp and the pores therein.

Though I have shown a particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions of my new toupee or wig, and a certain method of making the same, I do not wish to be limited to this particular construction, combination and arrangement of parts and portions, nor to the particular method de scribed, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction of the toupee or wig, and the method of making the same, substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

In a toupee or wig, a foundation, hairs secured thereto and extending therefrom, other hairs secured adjacent to the former hairs and adapted to extend in a direction close to the foundation, the latter hairs being positioned over the former for holding the same downwardly.

2. In a toupee or Wig, a foundation, hairs secured thereto and extending therefrom, and other hairs secured to the foundation and extending angularly over the former.

3. In a toupee or wig, a foundation having open meshes, hairs secured to one side of the meshes in one direction, other hairs secured to adjacent sides of the meshes and extending toward the former hairs.

4. In a toupee or wig, a foundation having open meshes, hairs secured to one side of the meshes in one direction, and other hairs secured to the corresponding meshes and extending angularly with respect to the former.

5. In a toupee or wig, a foundation having open meshes, hairs secured to one side of the meshes in one direction, and other hairs sccured to the corresponding meshes and extending across the former for holding the same downwardly, the former being adapted to hold the last mentioned hairs upwardly.

6. In a toupee or wig, a foundation, and interdirected hairs extending at different elevational and lateral angles for supporting each other.

7. In a toupee or wig, a net having longitudinal and parallel rows of meshes, single rows of hairs in some of said rows of meshes, and double rows of hairs at the opposite sides of the former.

8. In a toupee or wig, a net having longitudinal and parallel rows of meshes, single rows of hairs in some of said rows of meshes, and double rows of hairs at the opposite sides of the former, the hairs in the double rows of hairs being positioned at angles toward each other.

9. In a toupee or wig, a net having longitudinal rows of meshes, hairs secured in rows on some of the rows of meshes, and double rows of hairs arranged in each row of meshes at the opposite sides of the former, one of the rows of each double row of hairs having the hairs extending in the same direction as the hairs in the first mentioned r ws, the other row of hairs in said double row having hair extending to the lateral sides of the first mentioned rows of meshes and across the hairs in the first mentioned rows of hairs of the double rows.

10. In a toupee or wig, a parting strip having longitudinal rows of meshes, hairs secured to the central rows of meshes and extending forwardly, other hairs secured in the meshes of the lateral rows and extending substantially forwardly and upwardly, and other hairs secured in the meshes of the lateral rows and extending angularly from the central rows and across the hairs in the lateral rows.

11. The herein described method of making toupees or wigs, consisting in securing heirs to the meshes of a foundation with the ends extending backwardly, then folding said hairs forwardly about the foundation, and then securing other hair to the foundation and directing the same angularly over the former.

12. The herein described method of making toupees or wigs, consisting in beginning at the rear end of a row of meshes of a founda tion and securing hair thereto with the ends directed backwardly and continuing the se curing or further hair until hairs are secured to all meshes in the row, then folding said hairs about the meshes with the ends of the hairs directed substantially forwardly, then securing other hairs to said meshes and directing the same angular-1y across the former hairs. j

13. The herein described method of making toupees or wigs, consisting in beginning at the rear end of a row of meshes of a foundatlon and securing halr thereto wlth the ends directed backwardly and continuing the securing of further hair until hairs are secured to all meshes in the row, then folding said hairs about the meshes With the ends of the hairs directed substantially forwardly, then securing other hairs to said meshes and directing the same angularly across the former hairs, then repeating such steps of securing to each subsequently adjacent row of meshes.

l4, The herein described method of making toupees or wigs, consisting in beginning attherear end of a row of meshes of a foundation and securing hair thereto with the ends directed bac-kwardly and continuing the securing of further hair until hairs are secured to all meshes in the row, then folding said hairs about the meshes with the ends of the hairs directed substantially forwardly, then securing other hairs to said meshes and directing the same angularly across the former hairs, then repeating such steps of securing hairs to each subsequently adjacent row of meshes, then repeating the above steps in the rows of meshes at the opposite side of the foundation with the angular hairs directed in an opposite angular direction, and then securing still other hairs to the central rows of meshes beginning at the front ends of the rows of meshes.

15. The herein described method of making toupees or wigs, consisting in beginning at the rear end of arow of meshes of a foundation and securing hair thereto with the ends directed backwardly and continuing the securing of further hair until hairs are secured to all meshes in the row, then folding said hairs about the meshes with the ends of the hairs directed substantially forwardly, then securing other hairs to said meshes and directing the same angularly across the former hairs, then repeating such steps of securing hairs to each subsequently adjacent row of meshes, then repeating the above steps in the rows of meshes at the opposite side of the foundation with the angular hairs directed in an opposite angular direction, then securing still other hairs to the central rows of meshes beginning at the front ends of therrows of meshes, and then combing the hairs from the central rows to the opposite lateral sides.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at Los Angeles, California, this 3rd day of May, 1929.

EMIL BONG. 

